[daniel1212]

The first martyr of the church was Stephen who was a lay person and was martyred for proclaiming the gospel.

But he was a deacon, and not in a church service. However, as explained, there were no ordained Catholic priests and no Catholic Mass in the NT church, while Acts 8:4 says all the church went preaching the word. Praise God.

[HarleyD]

I believe you are correct. While Stephen is not directly mentioned as a deacon, it seems he fulfilled the roles of a deacon. Just about every commentator I read agrees with you that these were the first seven deacons appointed by the church. Also, and most importantly, it seems to mirror the purpose and selection of a deacon listed in 1 Timothy 3. I repent.

This is the second time in two days I’ve been wrong. (Yesterday my wife corrected me about my understanding of the purpose of John the Baptist question to Christ.) Three strikes and I’m out. I’m feeling a bit nervous. :O)

[Campion]

However, as explained, there were no ordained Catholic priests and no Catholic Mass in the NT church

There is no order-of-worship recorded in the New Testament, so your statement is resting on absolutely nothing. However, the earliest patristic records of Christian worship sound very much like a description of a Mass.